Kerr confident Reid and Crowe will be fit for clash with Albania

IRELAND manager Brian Kerr yesterday expressed confidence that Steven Reid and Glen Crowe will be fit to challenge for inclusion in the team to play Albania in Saturday’s European Championship qualifier at Lansdowne Road.

Both players have received regular attention from the Irish medical team since the squad gathered in Dublin on Saturday to begin preparations for the match against Albania and the follow-up tie against Georgia, again in Dublin, a week from Wednesday.

Crowe damaged a knee while playing for Bohemians on Friday and it was initially felt he would have to undergo a scan to clarify the exact nature of the injury.